Louisiana to Delay Common Core Education Standards

Louisiana will postpone Common Core State Standards — the federal government's rigorous grade-by-grade educational standards — for at least two years, State Superintendent of Education John White announced Thursday, The Times Picayune reported.

Instead of Common Core's English and math expectations, White said the state would be shifting to "a long-term, 10-year view of what our education system can accomplish with these standards."

White's announcement came after months of pressure from parents, teachers, and political groups who urged the state to either delay or drop the standards altogether, the newspaper said.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan was lambasted for blaming much of the growing opposition to the controversial Common Core state education standards on "white" mothers who are upset to learn their children are not as bright as they had thought.

Duncan dismissed the growing reaction against the standards, calling opponents disgruntled parents who blame the new standards for lowering their children's grades.

"All of a sudden, their child isn't as brilliant as they thought they were, and their school isn't quite as good as they thought ... and that's pretty scary," Duncan said at an event Friday, Politico reported. He quickly apologized.

Several others, including Florida, have indicated they may drop out. Just this week, Massachusetts voted to delay its adoption of those new tests.

Debbie Meaux, president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, said she is "cautiously optimistic" about the changes. But concerns remain for school letter grades and student learning targets.

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